"No, mademoiselle." Then, with a meaning little laugh: "Monsieur will not remain long from Oakley."
Miss Arthur tried to look unconscious, and succeeded in looking idiotic.
"Pardon, mademoiselle, but I can't forget that night. Mademoiselle is surely relieved of one fear."
"What is that?"
"The fear of being wooed because of her wealth."
Miss Arthur started, then said: "There may be something in that, Céline; and it is not impossible that I may inherit more."
"Ah?" inquiringly.
"Yes. Possibly you have learned from the servants that Mr. Arthur lost a young step-daughter not long ago; just before you came, in fact."
"I don't remember. Did she die, mademoiselle?"
"Yes. She was a very wild, unruly child, a regular little heathen—oh!"